The 1931 Central State Bearcats football team represented Central State Teachers College, later renamed

Central Michigan University Central Michigan University (CMU) is a public research university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Established in 1892 as the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute, the private normal school became a state institution and renamed Cen ...

, as an independent during the

1931 college football season The 1931 college football season saw the USC Trojans win the Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy as national champion under the Dickinson System, as well as the No. 1 position from each of the other three contemporary major selectors (Boand, Dunkel, and ...

. In their first season under head coach

George Van Bibber Edward George Van Bibber (1909 – August 3, 1982) was an American football player, coach, and university professor. He served as the head football coach at Central Michigan University from 1931 to 1933 and at the University at Buffalo, University ...

, the Bearcats compiled a 4–3 record (2–1 against MCC opponents), held five of seven opponents to seven or fewer point, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 95 to 58. The team defeated its in-state rival Michigan State Normal (20–12), lost to rival Western State Teachers (6–7), and also lost to Big Ten Conference champion Michigan (0–27). Van Bibber was named Central State's head football coach in May 1931. He replaced

Butch Nowack Albert J. "Butch" Nowack (1904 – September 28, 1952) was an American football player and coach. A native of Pana, Illinois, he played college football as a tackle at the University of Illinois under Robert Zuppke and was a member of the 1927 ...

who left Central State to accept a coaching position at Indiana. Van Bibber had played football, basketball, and baseball at

Purdue Purdue University is a public land-grant research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the flagship campus of the Purdue University system. The university was founded in 1869 after Lafayette businessman John Purdue donated land and money ...

Schedule

Game summaries

Michigan

Central State opened its 1931 season on October 3 with a 27-0 loss to Michigan. The games attracted a crowd of nearly 80,000 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan played its backup players in the game. Michigan's touchdowns were scored by halfback Jack Heston (the son of former Michigan star

Willie Heston William Martin Heston (September 9, 1878 – September 9, 1963) was an American football player and coach. He played halfback at San Jose State University and the University of Michigan. Heston was the head football coach for Drake University ...

), fullback Roderick Cox (1933 NCAA champion in the hammer throw), end Ted Petoskey, and substitute halfback Herbert Schmidt. Petoskey also kicked three points after touchdown.

References

Central State Central Michigan Chippewas football seasons Central State Bearcats football {{Michigan-sport-team-stub